Tag Archives: etsy

A Vegan Valentine

by

Vegans are all about compassion and love, so much so that we extend that emotion for all beings!  Here are my picks for compassionate gifts for Valentine’s Day.

(Photo: BettyTurbo on etsy.com)

(Photo: BettyTurbo on etsy.com)

For the Nooch lover (aren’t we all?!)… need I say any more?  Quite possibly the perfect Valentine’s Day card.  (Vegan Macaroni Valentine by BettyTurbo, $4.00)

 

Pucker up!

Pucker up!

Nothing says Valentine quite like a kiss!  Sweeten up your pout with a new lip balm.  I’m a big fan of LUSH cosmetics, and their new lip gloss The Kiss will do just the trick!  Slightly tinted and full of goodness, it’s sure to leave a delicious mark on your lover (or kitty cat). (Lush Cosmetics, $7.50, Newport Mall, Jersey City)

 

(Photo: The Cinnamon Snail Facebook page)

(Photo: The Cinnamon Snail Facebook page)

If you’re local to Jersey City/NYC, you most certainly have heard of The Cinnamon Snail vegan food truck.  If you haven’t, you need to really get out more because the Snaily is where it’s AT!  They are offering a full Valentine’s Day goodie menu – everything from donuts (I must recommend the Hulk Hogan Fudgie Wudgie!) to chocolate to cheesecake!  Must order by February 10th in order to pick up your order on February 14th in Red Bank, NJ or Manhattan.  (Assorted, $3-34.00)

 

The Scent of the Wilderness

The Scent of the Wilderness

For those who enjoy the outdoors (or just the smell of them), Juniper Ridge makes a lovely line of bath and body products amongst other Wilderness inspired products.  With scents such as Sierra Summer Pine and Red Rock Canyon, you’ll be smelling like the Great Outdoors from the comfort of your 3rd floor walk up. Added bonus:  portions of the proceeds are donated to Wilderness preservation organizations.  (Sierra Summer Pine Bar Soap, $12.00, online)

 

(Photo: Christy Robinson Design)

(Photo: Christy Robinson Design)

Wear your support around your neck with beautifully designed vegan-inspired jewelry by Christy Robinson Design.  Featuring a variety of jewelry (for men and women) and is offering a special Valentine’s Day collection where you are sure to find a lovely bauble for your vegan honey.  I’ve been eyeing her pieces for quite some time!  (Vegan Heart Necklace, $35.00, online)

(Photo: Kayt Hester society6.com)

(Photo: Kayt Hester society6.com)

For the art lover, Jersey City artist Kayt Hester has some wonderful animal-inspired prints (as well as iPhone cases, pillows and stationary) available online.  Her medium is masking tape (Yes! Masking tape!) and quite often does art shows to benefit local Jersey City animal rescues.  She also is available for commissioned works (can you say pet portraits?!).  (Kayt Hester Tape, Prints starting at $12.48 / Commissions starting at $250.00, online).

Love is sponsoring a rescued farm animal!

Love is sponsoring a rescued farm animal!

Feel good the whole year through by sponsoring an animal in honor of your true love.  Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary offers a range of sponsorship levels, and you’ll know a little critter is well-fed for the entire year.  Commemorate your sponsorship by spending the day with your special critter and volunteer for a day… you could even make that a monthly event, too!  The couple that volunteers together, stays together… plus what could be more romantic than slinging pig poo for the day?  (WFAS Sponsorship Package, $10-50.00/month, online)

And for those who are all about the kink, you can find vegan-friendly boudoir accessories at The Vegan Sex Shop… enjoy!

Vegan Like Me No. 9

by

Vegan Like Me aims to profile fellow vegans, from all walks of life from everywhere in the world!  We’ve all been beginners and I think its important for folks to hear people’s stories in order to motivate themselves to keep going. This feature is intended to do just that.  If you are vegan and would like to participate, get in touch with me and I’ll be sure to send our questionnaire along to you.

Name:  Melissa Bastian

Melissa B., Vegan 6 years

Where do you live?  New Orleans

How long have you been vegan?  since March 17, 2006

What inspired you to take on a plant-based (vegan/vegetarian) diet?   ”My journey began like many do, in a search for health.  I began to research nutrition in the hopes that food would succeed where thus far “”modern medicine”" had failed.  I barely had to scratch the surface to reveal a deeply dysfunctional food system.  I realized that my food was literally poisoning me.

I went through all the phases: the only organic, the local, the vegetarian.  But the more I dug, the clearer it became that boycotting all animal products was the best way both to “”clean”" my diet and to conform my consumption with my ethics.  It hit me like lightning one day on the way to the grocery that I could simply opt out, and I have never looked back.”

What do you love most about being vegan?  ”I love so many things about being vegan that it’s difficult to narrow down a “favorite.”  I love not feeling guilty about the food or products that I buy, I love experimenting with an endless array of vegetables and grains, and I love the passionate people I have gotten to meet over the years.  But sharing delicious vegan food with the curious / skeptical might just take the cake.”

What three items do you always have in your pantry?  “Quinoa pasta (yes, it’s a thing!), brown rice, and canned beans.  I love beans!”

What is your favorite vegan comfort food?  ”Again with the favorites – I love so many foods!  I truly enjoy a good mac n cheeze or my mom’s pasta with red sauce.  But at my heart I’m a sweets girl.  I bake a killer cupcake and crave fair trade dark chocolate.  And I can’t resist a really ripe mango or peach.  But I’ve gotta say, since childhood my happiness dwells in a good ripe orange!”

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about taking on a plant-based (vegan) diet?  ”I try to provide encouragement to those considering a vegan lifestyle, and I believe the best thing people can do is seek out the vegan community.  Even those who feel most isolated can find a wealth of knowledge and camaraderie online, though boards such as Post Punk Kitchen.  Veganism wasn’t an overnight journey for me – in fact it took over five years.  I, like most people, hit some bumps along the road.  It can feel difficult at first, and is a shift in worldview.  Surrounding one’s self with like-minded people can provide a much-needed support network during the time of adjustment.”

Do you find anything difficult about being vegan?  ”Since acclimating to my vegan diet and lifestyle, I find that I live it with ease even when traveling or around non-vegan friends and family.  It is difficult only when non-vegans are affronted by my mere existence – the “anti-vegans.”  I believe that people become offended by the simple existence of vegans because deep down, they know there is something truly wrong – something they actively support.  As with most difficult instances, I try to use these as learning experiences: either to teach the offended parties something about veganism and vegans, or at least to improve my own tolerance.”

Any other comments or words of wisdom you would like to add?  I find the vegan lifestyle hugely fulfilling, largely because I have fully engaged myself in both local and global vegan communities.  I am the proud captain of the Vegan Etsy Team {VeganEtsy.blogspot.com}, allowing me to connect with amazing, creative vegans literally all over the world.  I also host New Orleans’ monthly Vegan Drinks event {https://www.facebook.com/nolavegandrinks}, write a blog about vegan options in New Orleans {NewOrleansinGreen.blogspot.com}, and am the New Orleans Vegan Examiner {http://www.examiner.com/vegan-in-new-orleans/melissa-bastian}.  There is no aspect of my life left untouched by being vegan, and I know that I am happier and healthier for it!

I love Melissa’s perspective when it comes to being faced with “anti-vegans”.  Her advice is fantastic and something I try to do myself.  Thanks so much, Melissa, for the inspiration.

Vegan Like Me No. 5

by

Vegan Like Me aims to profile fellow vegans, from all walks of life from everywhere in the world!  We’ve all been beginners and I think its important for folks to hear people’s stories in order to motivate themselves to keep going. This feature is intended to do just that.  If you are vegan and would like to participate, get in touch with me and I’ll be sure to send our questionnaire along to you.

Name:  Jade

Where do you live?  New Jersey

How long have you been vegan?  15 Years

What inspired you to take on a plant-based (vegan/vegetarian) diet?   An interest in what is in my food and where my food comes from began at a young age. That curiosity coupled with a love for animals an increasing amount of knowledge regarding the treatment of animals in the food industry as well as the health benefits have led me to become a vegan. Growing up I went from eating pretty well as a kid with a father who was a chef of Chinese cuisine to suddenly having to eat a lot of fast food and cheap junk foods from the grocery store when my parents split. The lack of fresh produce in my household from age 6 and up definitely made me want those things in my diet so much more than a lot of kids I’m sure. I craved it!

What do you love most about being vegan?  I love that it makes me feel like I’m doing something good for myself, my family and the planet. Compassion is something we are born with, but as time goes by we start to let it slip out of different aspects of our lives such as with fashion, food, etc. Ultimately, you can choose where you put your money and it is an easy way to actively do something good.

What three items do you always have in your pantry?  Almond Milk, Nutritional Yeast, Dulse Flakes (seaweed flakes).

What is your favorite vegan comfort food?  My own personal breakfast specialty… vegan chocolate chip pancakes.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about taking on a plant-based (vegan) diet?  Go for it!! It is so much easier these days then when I was 15! I had help when I was younger from friends and I recommend making sure you have some support when you do it, but definitely keep treats and snacks with you at all times to help you transition. You will have a much easier time going vegan if you are always ready to replace sweets and meals at social functions!

Do you find anything difficult about being vegan?  When people tease you for being “different” at family gatherings or in school. I don’t really have that problem anymore, but I know a lot of people who do and it makes me sad… as long as you’re not judging others at those gatherings – people should just be supportive of your beliefs if they love you! It is a misconception that vegans “miss out” on things as well and that is a huge pet peeve. Eat a yummy cupcake for 5 minutes that possibly had something to do with an animal living a miserable life? Yes, chickens who lay eggs that are probably in that cupcake were probably miserable packed in a cage where they got pooped on and pecked at, etc. No thanks, I can have a yummy vegan cupcake when I get home… I can seriously wait like an hour… what is the big deal about this…lol. I also get the argument for free range eggs and more humane animal sourced foods and I support people who make an effort to source that way, but if it is me I’d rather opt for plant-based foods since, in my opinion, it is the best healthfully, ethically and of course just as yummy!

Any other comments you or words of wisdom you would like to add?  I occasionally make vegan bento boxes for my son who is 7 years old that you can check out here: http://mumbentobot.tumblr.com.  Also, I’m an illustrator so you can check out my Etsy shop at http://mumbot.etsy.com if you’d like!  Good luck!

Thank you so much, Jade!